Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing efficient searching of video content. In one aspect, a method includes providing a search control associated with video content items, the search control for receiving search queries for identifying video content items associated with one or more channels in a video sharing environment. A search query is received from a user logged into one of the video sharing environment or a content distribution system. One or more matching video content items are located from the repository based on the search query. A selection of one or more of the video content items is received. A channel associated with the selected video content items is determined. Providing the search control further includes providing a pre-populated suggestion list for selecting a filter criteria for locating a video content item based on the stored historical channel selections associated with the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for presenting aggregated performance information for video content items. The method comprises identifying a video content item displayable in a plurality of different format types to users. The method further comprises collecting performance information related to the display of the video content item when presented in each of the different format types. The method further comprises aggregating the performance information for the different format types, where the performance information includes information selected from a group comprising a number of thumbnail impressions, a number of video impressions, a number of views, a view rate, an average cost-per-view, a total cost, or a number of clicks to a landing page, including providing overall performance information for the video content item.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for automatically preparing content. A method includes receiving a selection of a video content item for distribution by a content distribution system as part of a campaign; prompting a user to determine if the user wants control over formats and networks the video content item will be displayed in; receiving a user selection that the user wants automatic format and network selection; receiving attribute information from the user for use in presenting the video content item in accordance with the received selection for automatic format and network selection; automatically preparing the video content item for distribution in a predetermined number of formats and across a predetermined number of networks including determining a distribution among the formats and the networks consistent with a first predetermined criteria; and storing the campaign.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for linking video sharing accounts with content delivery accounts. In one aspect, a method includes providing a control in a user interface associated with a campaign management tool for a content delivery system. The control includes a linking tool for linking a content delivery account associated with a user in the content delivery system with one or more video sharing accounts in a video sharing environment.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus represent users by respective avatars in a subject virtual environment. The invention system displays the avatars in the virtual environment, and for each avatar, displays in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects. The respective trail of virtual contact objects is associated with the user represented by the avatar and serves as a visual indication of presence and activeness (level of activity) of the user in the subject virtual environment. Each virtual contact object in the respective trail stores and provides user contact data of the user and is persistable upon end-user command.

Abstract: An external source data provider provides separable lists of external data in a virtual environment. The external source data provider and method particularly represent a query for external data in the virtual environment. The query is executed against external sources resulting in a plurality of items collectively forming search results. An output module displays the search results as a stream of discrete objects emanating from the representation of the search query in the virtual environment. Each object corresponds to or otherwise represents a respective search result item and operates as an individual data element Any user may persist, manipulate, share, annotate and modify one or more of the objects corresponding to the external data (i.e., respective search result item). Displayed objects that are left untouched by users disappear from display after a predefined period of time.

Abstract: Computer-based group brainstorming system and method are disclosed. The invention system and method provide a certain area (e.g., a depicted room) as a brainstorming area in a virtual environment. A processor engine enables brainstorming sessions of multiple users in the certain area. For a given brainstorming session, the engine (i) indicates each user in the brainstorming session, and (ii) indicates communications (e.g., chat bubbles, votes, etc.) of each user in the brainstorming session. Color-coding of the users/avatars and communications may be used. Users may arrange indicia (e.g., indicators of project tasks) in the certain area in a manner that provides work flow or work assignments to users. Snapshots of the different states of a brainstorming session are enabled. User interaction with the artifacts of the brainstorming session remains active in the snapshots. Artifacts of a brainstorming session may later be reconstituted (reinstated) from a reloading of a snapshot into a subsequent session.

Abstract: A computer method and system familiarizes users in a group in shared synchronous environments. As part of operation of a given shared synchronous online environment, the invention generates an icebreaking activity for a group of users. The generated ice breaking activity has content from at least one data source external to the given online environment. The content may be mined user profiles, images and other user information from other data sources that users provide information to. The invention allows free form conversation among the group of users during participation in the generated ice-breaking activity. Such participation by the users in the generated ice-breaking activity and free form conversation among the users enable users to become familiar with each other's human persona.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus represent users by respective avatars in a subject virtual environment. The invention system displays the avatars in the virtual environment, and for each avatar, displays in proximity to the avatar, a respective trail of virtual contact objects. The respective trail of virtual contact objects is associated with the user represented by the avatar and serves as a visual indication of presence and activeness (level of activity) of the user in the subject virtual environment. Each virtual contact object in the respective trail stores and provides user contact data of the user and is persistable upon end-user command.